Grinding machine



Feb; 24, 1948. c. s. FLYGARE ET .AL 2,436,561

GRINDING MACHINE Filed March 22, 1945 5 sheets-sheet 1 ii o {i 56 j :1

CARL G Fun-inns. ELPHEQE D. Lgfnun HERBERT A. olwzu I W m Feb. 24, 1948. c. cs. FLYGARE ET AL- 2,436,561

GRINDING MACHINE Filed March 22, 1945 l 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FLYq ARE D. LA. FLEUR CARL G Eumaqa Henagm A. Saws" Feb. 24, 1948. c. G. FLYGARE ET AL GRINDING MACHINE "Filed March 22, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 gjwucnkow.

CARL FLYGARE 'ELPH GE D. LA FLEuR HERBERT A. Swan Feb. 24, 1948. 4 c. s. F-LYGARE El AL GRINDING MACHINE Filed March 22, 1945 5 sheets-sheet 4 CARL G FLYqAR'E- v ELPHEC-iE D. LA FLEUR .HERBERT A.Sn.v| ;u

Feb. 24, 1948. c. G.'FLYGARE ET AL I 1 I GRINDING MACHINE Filed'March 22,, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet s CAL G. FLYQARE ELPH'aqz D. LAFLEUR- Hznasm' A. Saws" Mum Patented Feb. 24, 1948 ITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GRINDING MACHINE Application March 22, 1945, Serial No. 584,096

13 Glaims. i

This invention relates to grinding machines, and more particularly to an automatically actuated grinding machine for grinding work pieces, such as the faces of automotive engine valves.

One object of the invention is to provide a simple and thoroughly practical automatically actuated and controlled grinding machine for successively grinding a plurality of work pieces. Another object of the invention is to provide an improved automatic grinding machine with a wheel feeding mechanism which is arranged first to position the wheel at a rapid rate, then to reduce the rate of movement to a predetermined grinding feed, and a positive stop to limit the infeeding movement of the grinding wheel, combined with an electrically controlled timing mechanism which allows the wheel to spark out or finish-grind the work, after which the wheel is automatically moved to an inoperative position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hydraulically operated feeding mechanism including a piston and cylinder to facilitate a rapid positioning of the grinding wheel, a dash pot mechanism to reduce the rate of movement of the grinding wheel to a predetermined grinding feed as the wheel engages the work, a Positive stop to limit the infeeding movement of the grinding wheel, and an electrically operated timer'mechanism to allow the wheel to spark out for a predetermined time interval, after which the wheel is hydraulically moved rapidly to a rearward or inoperative position.

Another object of the invention is to provide an automatically actuated work loading mechanism including a rotatable turret for automatically positioning successive work pieces in operative relation with a work supporting collet. Another object of the invention is to provide such a machine with an automatically actuated pusher and ejector mechanism for pushing a work piece axially into position within said work collet and for ejecting a finish ground work piece therefrom after a grinding operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a collet actuating-mechanism which is spring actuated to close the collet to grip a work piece for a grinding operation and a hydraulically operated mechanism to release said collet after the work piece has been ground to the predetermined extent. A further object of the invention is to provide a turret actuating mechanism which is operated in timed relation with the collet actuating and pusher and ejecting mechanism so that after a ground work piece has been ejected from said collet, the work turret will be automatically 2 indexed to present the next work piece into an operative position. Other objects will be in part obvious or in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, as will be exemplified in the structure to be hereinafter described, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings in which is shown one of various possible embodiments of the mechanical features of this invention,

' Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the improved automatic grinding machine;

Fig. 2 is a right-hand end elevation of the machine shown in Fig. 1;

Fig, 3 is a plan view of the automatic grinding machine; I

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan view, partly in section, on an enlarged scale, showing a fragment of the work loading turret and the work chucking mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side elevation, on an enlarged scale, of the work loading turret and work support; I

Fig. 6 is a combined fragmentary cross-sectional view through the grindingwheel feeding mechanism combined with an electrical wiring and piping diagram of the feed controlling mechanism; and

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary combined hydraulic piping and electrical wiring diagram of the control mechanism for the work loading and supporting apparatus.

A grinding machine has been illustrated in the drawings comprising a base ill which serves as a support for a transversely movable wheel slide tit ' surface of the wheel slide ii.

ii. The wheel slide II is slidably supported on the usual V-way and fiat way (not shown) on the base It]. The wheel slide ii supports a' rotatable grinding wheel i2 which is mounted on one end of a rotatable wheel spindle i3, The wheel spindle it may be driven by any of the well known mechanisms, such as an overhead belt drive or an electric motor it which is mounted on the upper As illustrated, a wheel driving pulley i5 is mounted on the opposite end of the wheel spindle i3 and is connected by a driving belt it with a pulley H which is mounted on an armature shaft i8 of the motor it.

Work head The base [0 also supports a work rotating and work loading mechanism comprising a rotatably mounted work spindle 20 which is rotatably supmay be either fixed or adjustably positioned on the base l so that the axis of the work spindle may be adjusted relative to the axis of the grinding'wheel if desired So that either a true cylindrical face may be ground on the work piece or a irusto-conical shape may be ground, if desired. The spindle 20 serves as a support for a work collet 22 which is arranged to be cosed by means of a compression spring 23 (Fig. 7). A hydraulically actuated mechanism is provided for releasing the collet 22 to facilitate ejection of a ground work piece therefrom after a grinding operation has been completed. This mechanism comprises a cylinder 24 which is supported on the work head 2|, The cylinder 24 contains a piston 25 which is provided with an integral piston rod 23 arranged in axial alignment with the colgt actuating sleeve contained within the spindle 0.

This improved grinding machine, as shown in the drawings, is illustrated as being set up for automatically grinding a frusto-conical face 28 on an automotive valve 27. A work pushing and ejecting mechanism is provided comprising a pusher arm 28 and an ejector arm 29 which are mounted on the right-hand end of a piston rod 30. A hydraulically actuated mechanism is pro--.

vided tor controlling the movement cf said pusher arm 23 and the ejector arm 29 comprising a cylinder 3| which is mounted on the work head 2|. The cylinder 3| contains a piston 32 which is fixedly mounted on one end of the piston rod 30.

Work turret An automatic workloading mechanism is provided for automatically and successively conveying work pieces into axial alignment with the work supporting and rotating collet 22. As illustrated in the drawings, this work turret may comprise a pair of spaced disks 35 and 35 which are fixedly supported on a rotatable shaft or spindle .31. The periphery of each disk 35 and 36 is prothe .collet 22, the shaft or spindle 31 supporting the work turret disks 35 and 36 may be automatically indexed to convey the next work piece 21 into operative relation in alignment with the collet 22. This mechanism may comprise a ratchet wheel 4|) which is fixedly mounted relative to the shaft or spindle 31. A pawl 4| is provided for coacting with the ratchet wheel 40. The pawl 4| is pivotally connected by means of a stud 42 with a spring-pressed member 43 which is slidably supported in a member 44. The member 44 is fixedly mounted on the right-hand end of a piston rod 45 (-Fig. '7).

A hydraulically operated mechanism is provided' for actuating the pawl 4| comprising a cylinder 46 which is supported on the work head 2 l. The cylinder 46 contains a slidably mounted piston 41 which is connected to or fixedly mounted on the left-handend of the piston rod 45. A

17) to move the pawl 4| through its idle stroke.

when fluid under pressure is passed through a pipe 48 into a cylinder chamber 50, the piston 41 together with the associated parts and the pawl 4| will be moved toward the right to index the work turret to present the next work piece 21 into axial alignment with the collet 22.

Wheel feed the work piece to be ground. This mechanism may comprise a half nut 55 depending from the under side of the wheel slide ii. The half nut 55 meshes with or engages a rotatable cross feed screw 58. The cross feed screw 58 may be manually rotated by a manually operable feed mechanism such as, for example, a manually operable feed wheel 51 which is supported on the upper portion of the wheel slide (Figs. 1 and 2). If desired, however, the feed screw 56 may be rotated in the conventional manner by means of a manually operable feed wheel 58 shown diagrammatically in Fig. 6 of the drawings. The right-hand end of the feed screw 56 is journalled in a slidably mounted sleeve 59 which is slidably mounted within a housing 60 fixed relative to the base ID. A hydraulically operated feed mechanism is provided for feeding the feed screw 55 and the wheel slide rapidly to position the 62, the piston 52 together with the feed screw- 56 and the wheel slide M will be moved toward the work piece. During this forward movement of the grinding wheel i2. fluid within a cylinder chamber 56 may exhaust through a pipe 51.

A feed control valve '10 is provided for controlling the flow of fluid under pressure to and from the cylinder 6|. This valve comprises a valve stem 1] having formed integrally therewith valve pistons 12, I3, 14 and I5. The valve stem ii is arranged so that it may be electrically actuated in timed relation with the other mechanisms of the machine. This actuating mechanism comprises an electric solenoid 16 mounted adjacent to and operatively connected to the left-hand end of the valve stem ii and an electric solenoid 11 mounted adjacent to and operatlvely connected to the right-hand end of the valve stem ii.

In the position of the valve 10 as shown in Fig. 6, fiuid is pumped from a reservoir through a pipe 8| by means of a motor driven geared pump 82. The pump 82 iorces fluid under pressure through a pipe 83. A pressure relief valve 84 is connected by a pipe 85 with the pipe line 83 to facilitate maintaining the desired operating pressure within the hydraulically operated system. Fluid under pressure passing through the pipe 83 enters a valve chamber located between the valve pistons 13 and 14 and passes through the pipe 61 into the cylinder chamber 65 to move the piston 62 into a rearward position, thus moving the grinding wheel i2 into its rearward or inoperative position. The valve stem II is shifted into the position illustrated in Fig. 6 by energization of the solenoid 11. While the valve parts are in the position illustrated, fluid under pressure within the cylinder chamber 68 may exhaust through the pipe 84, a valve chamber located between the valve pistons 12 and 13, and out through an exhaust pipe 88 into the reservoir 89. I

' When it is desired to initiate an infeeding movement of the grinding Wheel I2, the solenoid I6 is energized to shift the valve stem 1| toward the left (Fig. 6). This movement serves to pass fluid under pressure from the pipe 83 through the valve chamber located between the valve pistons 13 and 14, and through the pipe 64 into the cylinder chamber 65 to cause the piston 62, the feed screw 58, and the wheel slide II to move toward the left (Fig. 6) to cause the grinding wheel I2 to approach the work piece to be ground.

A suitable fluid pressure control or feed regulating mechanism is provided for modifying the rapid approaching movement caused by the piston 62 to obtain a controlled predetermined grinding feed of the grinding-wheel I2. A selfcontained dash pot feed regulator 99 is provided having a pair of spaced dash pot cylinders which contain slidably mounted dash pot pistons 9| and 92. The dash pot pistons 9| and 92 and their respective cylinders are arranged with their axes parallel to each other and spaced on diametrically opposite sides of the axis of the piston rod 93. The dash pot pistons 9| and 92 are normally held in a rearward (right-hand) position by means of compression springs. An adjustable stop screw 93 serves to limit the rearward movement of the dash pot pistons 9| and 92, respectively. A slidable sleeve 99 is supported on the rear extension of the piston rod 93. The sleeve 94 has a flanged portion 95 which is either formed integral therewith or fixedly secured thereto. The flange 95 is arranged to engage the right-hand end faces of the dash pot pistons 9| and 92, respectively. The stop screw 93 engages the flange 95 and thereby serves to limit the rearward movement of both dash pot pistons 9| and the rearward extension of the piston rod 83 engages the right-hand end of the sleeve 94. 'Continued movement of the piston rod 93 moves the sleeve 94 and the flange 95 toward the left and continued movement serves to move the dash pot pistons 9| and 92 in a direction toward th left (Fig. 6). When the flange 95 engages the ends of the dash pot pistons 9i and 92, respectively, the rapid approaching or feeding movement of the grinding wheel I2 toward the work piece 21 as produced by the piston 92 is reduced to a slower predetermined grinding feed due to the fact that fluid confined within the dash pot cylinders which are interconnected exhausts through a passage 98, a needle valve 99, through a pipe I99, into a reservoir IIlI. By adjusting the aperture of the needle valve 99, a desired and predetermined infeeding movement of the grinding wheel may be obtained.

When fluid under pressure is admitted to the cylinder chamber 96 to'cause a rearward move ment of the piston 62, the sleeve 94 together with the flange 95 is moved rearwardly by means of the released compression of the springs within the dash pot cylinders which returns the dash pot pistons 9| and 92, respectively, to their rear ward positions and moves the flange 95 into engagement with the stop screw 93.. During the rearward movement of the dash pot pistons 8| 'and 92, a suction is created within the dash pot cylinders which serves to draw fluid from the reservoir I9I, through a pipe I92, and a ball check valve I93, to fill the dash pot cylinders for the next infeeding movement of the grinding wheel I2. During the infeeding movement of the dash pot pistons 9| and 92,'fluid within the dash pot cylinders serves to hold the ball check valve I93 closed so that fluid within the dash pot cylinders is forced out through the passage 98 and the needle valve 99 and also through. a throttle valve I94 until the passage 98 is closed, into the-reservoir I 9| to control the rat of infeeding movement, as desired. v

The adjustable throttle valve I94 is connected between the pipe I92 and a chamber I96 to facilitate exhaust of fluid from the dash pot cylinders after the passage 98 is closed by the dash pot piston 9|. If desired, the throttle valve I94 may be used to give a very final feeding movement of the grinding wheel I2 just prior to a positive stop collar I91 engaging a stop surface formed on the rear end of the dash pot feed regulator unit which positively limitsthe advance of the grinding wheel I2 toward the work axis. In the latter case, two distinct grinding feeds of the grinding wheel I2 may be obtained, by manipulation of the needle valve 99 combined with the opening of the throttle in the pipe line I98 which may be readily opened .to allow the desired amount of fluid from the pump 82 to pass into the reservoir I9 I, after which the valve I99 may again be closed.

It is desirable that a continuous cycle, namely, a continuous in-and-out movement of the grinding wheel I2, be obtained so that after one work piece 21 has been ground to the desired and predetermined size, the grinding wheel |2 will move rearwardiy to an inoperative position to facilitate loading of the next work piece 21 into the machine. After the next work piece 21 has been loaded in position, the wheel slide II is automatically started on the next grinding cycle. An electrical control system is provided for controlling automatically the grinding cycle of the wheel I2. A normally closed limit switch I I5 is mounted on the rear surface of .the dash pot feed regulator casing 99. Thislimit switch 5 is arranged to be actuated by a micrometer adjusting screw H6 carried by the positive stop collar I91. A normally open limit switch H1 is mounted on the base of the machine at the rear of the wheel slide I I and is arranged to be actuated by an abutment H9 projecting from the rear portion of the wheel slide II. A time delay relay H9 is provided which may be a standard electrically operated adjustable time delay relay, such as that known as the Microflex instantaneous reset timer manufactured by the Eagle Signal Corporation of Moline, Illinois. The Microflex timer is a synchronous motor operated time delay relay and consists of a clutch-operating mechanism and a motor and gear train assembly, with an electromagnetically operated clutch for coupling them together. It is entirely automatic in action operated relay I24 is connected with the starter switch I22. An electrically operated relay I24 is connected with the starter switch I22 so that when the starter switch I22 is closed, the electromagnet of the relay I24 will be energized to start a grinding cycle. A snap switch I25 is provided for rendering the electric time delay relay H9 inoperative if and when desired so that the wheel feeding movement may be manually controlied by actuation of the control lever I23. A snap switch I26 is provided which may be manually operated to open a circuit so as to deenergize the solenoid 11 when the machine is idle.

When it is desired to start a grinding cycle, the control lever I23 is rocked in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 6) to actuate and close the starter switch I22 which closes a circuit, thus energizing the relay. I24 which serves to close a circuit and energize the solenoid 16 so as to shift the valve stem 1I towardthe left (Fig. 6) so that fluid under pressure from the pump 82 passing through the pipe 83 will be conveyed to the cylinder chamber 65 to initiate a forward feeding movement of the grinding wheel I2. The grinding wheel I2 moves rapidly toward the work axis until the wheel approaches the surface of the work to be ground. at which point the nuts 96 engage the sleeve 94 and thus render the dash pot feed regulating mechanism operative to reduce the rapid approaching movement to a slower uniform grinding feed of the wheel l2. The grinding feed continues until the positive stop collar I01 engages thepositive stop surfaceat the rear of the dash pot cylinder casing 90. At the same time, the micrometer adjusting screw IlIi engages and actuates the normally closed limit switch II5 to open the same, thus breaking a circuit to set the electric time delay relay H9 in motion. The

Power is supplied from power lines I grinding wheel I2 remains in grinding engage- ,ment with the work for a sparking-out or finish grinding period for a definite time interval as governed by the time delay relay H3. After the predetermined time interval has elapsed, the time relay II9 closes a circuit to energize the solenoid 11 so as to shift the valve stem II toward the right (Fig. 6) into the position illustrated so that fluid under pressure from the pump 82 and pressure pipe 33 will pass into the cylinder chamber 66 to cause a rapid rearward movement of the grinding wheel I2 and its supporting wheel slide II. The rapid rearward movement of the slide continues until the lug H8 on the rear of the wheel slide engages and actuates the normally open limit switch II1 to close the same and thus close a circuit again to energize the solenoid 16 to initiate a forward feeding movement of the grinding wheel I2 and its supporting slide. It will thus be seen that the cycle of movement of the wheel slide toward and from the work will continue automatically until it is stopped by the operator. In order to break the circuit and thus stop the cycle of movement of the grinding wheel i2 and its supporting slide II, the control lever I23 may be swung in a clockwise direction (Fig. 6) to actuate the stop switch I2I to break the circuit and thus deenergize the electromagnet in the relay I24 which renders the electrical control for the wheel slide inoperative and thus maintains the grinding wheel in a stopped position.

A diagrammatic illustration of the control mechanism for the work loading, supporting and rotating mechanism is shown in Fig. '7.' Fluid under pressure passing through the pipe 33 passes through a pipe I30 to a solenoid actuated valve I3I which is actuated by a solenoid I32. The valve I3I is a standard well known three-way solenoid operated valve, such as that manufactured by Vickers Inc. of Detroit, Michigan. The valve I3I is connected by a pipe I33 with a cylinder chamber I34 in the cylinder 24 which controls the releasing of the work gripping collet 22. When the valve I3I is opened, fluid under pressure passing through the pipe I33 enters the cylinder chamber I34 to move the piston 25 toward the right (Fig. '1). When the piston 25 reaches the position illustrated, the collet 22 is moved a sufficient distance to release the work piece therefrom. In this position of the piston 25, fluid under pressure in the cylinder chamber I34 may by-pass through a pipe I35 to a threeway solenoid operatedvalve I38 which is actuated by a solenoid I31. Fluid under pressure passing through the pipe I35 into the valve I35 may normally pass through a pipe I30 and a pipe I39 into a cylinder chamber I40 in the cylinder 8| to move the piston 32 toward the right so that the ejector arm 29 will also move toward the right to move the work piece such as the valve 21 axially out of engagement with the collet 22.- After the piston 32 reaches the position illustrated in Fig. 7, fluid under pressure in the cylinder chamber I40 may by-pass through a pipe I and the pipe 49 into the cylinder chamber 50 to move the piston 41 toward the right (Fig. '1) which moves the pawl 4I toward the right to rotate the ratchet wheel 40 so as to index the next work piece 21 into an operative position in axial alignment with the collet 22. As the pawl 4| moves toward the right, a cam I43 carried by the member 44 actuates the normally open limit switch I44 to close a circuit and thus energize the solenoid I31 which serves to open a three-way valve I42 so that fluid under pressure in the pipe 83 may pass through the valve I42 and through a pipe I45 into 9. cylinder chamber I46 in the cylinder 3| to move the piston 32 toward the left so that the pusher 20 will engage the end of the valve 21 to be ground and push it axially toward the left into operative engagement with the collet 22. At the same time, when the solenoid I31 is energized,

in Fig. 7. A snap switch I52 is connected in one of the power lines I50 by means of which the electrical circuit shown in Fig. 2 may be rendered operative or inoperative, as desired. A normally open limit switch I53 is mounted on the machine base and has an actuating roller in the path of an adjustably mounted cam I54 which is carried by the wheel slide II. When the wheel slide Il moves rearwardly, the cam I54 engages the actu- 9 atlng roller 01' the limit switch I53 to close the limit switch I63 and thereby energize the solenoid I32, thus opening the valve I3I to pass fluid through the pipe I33 to release the collet 22, after which fluid may pass through the pipe I33 to release the collet 22, after which fluid may pass through the pipe I35 and the valve I36, through the pipes I38 and I39, into cylinder 3i, to actuate the ejector arm 29 to eject the work piece 211 from the collet 22. After the work piece has been ejected from the collet 22, fluid under pressure may by-pass through the pipes IM and 69, into the cylinder 66, to move the pawl 6i toward the right so as to move the ratchet wheel 60 in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 7)

During the actuating movement of the pawl 6 I, the cam I43 engages the actuating roller of the normally open limit switch I40 to close the limit switch I44 and thereby energize the solenoid I37. Energizatlon of the solenoid I3i serves to open the valve I62 so that fluid under pressure may pass through the pipe I45 into the cylinder chamber I66 so as to move the pusher arm 26 toward the left (Fig. 7) to push the next work piece 2'! into operative engagement with th collet 22. When the wheel slide I I starts its next forward movement, the forward movement of the cam I56 allows the normally open limit switch I53 to open, thus breaking the circuit to deenergize the solenoid I32 so that fiuid under pressure passing through the pipe I30 is cut off by the valve I3I and fluid under pressure within the cylinder chamber I36 may exhaust through the pipe I33, the valve 3i, and a pipe I65 into the reservoir. This cycle of operation is repeated on each successive rearward movement of the wheel slide ii so that when the wheel slide II starts its next forward movement, a new piece of work, such as a valve 21, is positioned in operative relation with the collet 22. I

It may be desirable to provide means whereby both the electrically controlled hydraulic wheel feeding mechanism and also the electrically con trolled hydraulically operated work loading, chucking and rotating mechanism may be rendered inoperative so that the machine may be manually controlled. In order to accomplish this result, a snap switch ii is located in one of the power lines i20 inside the fuse so that when the switch is snapped to an ofi position, the power is cut off from the auxiliary feed wires I50 which control the work loading, chucking and rotating mechanism and also from the grinding wheel feed controlling mechanism. As above described, each circuit is provided with an independent switch whereby either the automatic cyclic wheel feed may be rendered inoperative or the work loading, chucking and rotating mechanism may be rendered inoperative. The snap switch I25 is provided whereby the timer H3 may be cut out and rendered inoperative, thus facilitating-a manual control of the hydraulic feed mechanism by means of the lever B23, the stop switch I2I and the start switch I22. Similarly, the snap switch I52 is provided in the electrical circuit for con trolling the work loading, chucking and rotating mechanism whereby this mechanism may be similarly cut ofi independently of the wheel feed.

The exhausting of fluid from the cylinder chamber I36 releases the compression of the spring 23 which serves to close the collet 22 and thus grip the work piece 27 so as to rotate the same during the next grinding operation.

In order to rotate the work piece 21 during a grinding operation, an electric motor I60 is mounted on the upper portion of the work head 2|. The motor I is connected by means or a driving bclt contained within a belt housing or casing I6I (Fig. 3). The belt drive contained within the casing IBI is operatively connected to rotate thesleeve 20 (Fig. .4) so as to rotate the collet 22 and thereby rotate the work piece 21 during a grinding operation.

In order to steady and support the work piece during a grinding operation, a roller type rest is provided comprising a pair of spaced rotatable rollers I64 and I65 which are rotatably supported by a bracket I66 (Fig. 5). The bracket I66 is arranged so that it may be adjusted vertically by means of an adjusting screw IB'I and may be clamped in adjusted position by means of clamp ing screws I66 and I69. The rollers I66 and I66 are preferably adjusted so that a work piece 2i? supported thereby is axiall aligned with the axis of the work collet 22. The rollers I66 and I65 are preferably located between the plates 66 and 36 of the work loading turret. A third work supporting and steadying roller I10 is rotatably supported at the lower end of an arm Ill, The arm I'iI is pivotally supported on a stud H2. The stud I12 also supports an arm I73. The

arms I73 and III are preferably pinned to the stud "2 so that they serve as a bell-crank lever to actuate and support the roller I10. The bellcrank lever I1 I I I3 is normally urged in a clockwise direction by means of a tension spring lid which is connected between a stud I16 on the arm II3 and a stud I16 which is fixed relative to the base of the machine. A stop pin Ill serves normally to limit the rocking movement of the bell-crank lever Ill-I13 in a clockwise direction.

It will be readily apparent from the foregoing disclosure that when the work loading turret disks 35 and 36 move to position a work piece 2? in an operative position, the work piece 2i engaging th roller I10 will rock the bell crank lever I'll-I13 against the tension of the spring I76 until the work piece 27 rides into engagee ment with the rollers i66 and I65, After the work piece 2i has been clamped in position in the work driving collet 22, the rollers I66, I65 and I serve to steady and support the work piece 2'! during a grinding operation while the grinding wheel i2 grinds the face 26 on the valve 21.

The finish ground work pieces 2i are ejected from the turret wheel by means of a pair of guides I60 and NH which project upwardly between the turret plates 36 and 36. The guides I80 and I8! are-arranged in the path of the valve stem 27 so that as the turret wheel is successively indexed, the finish ground valve 22 will be pulled out of the pockets 3? and 38 and the spring clips 36. The finish ground work pieces then drop onto a continuously rotated conveyor belt I82 and may be dropped into a receptacle (not shown) at the sides of the machine base.

The operation of this improved grinding machine will be readily apparent from the foregoing disclosure. Assuming all of the adjustments have been previously made, the wheel drive motor I23 is then rocked in a counterclockwise direcalignment with the collet 22. The controliever.

tion to close the push button switch I22 which serves to energize the relay I25. Energlzatlon of the relay I24 closes a circuit to energize the solenoid I6 which shifts the valve stem II toward the left (Fig. 6) to initiate a forward movement or the grinding wheel. The forward movement of the grinding wheel starts at a rapid approaching rate until the nut I6 on the piston rod 63 engages the sleeve 94, after which the dash pot pistons III and 92 reduce the movement of the piston 62 to a predetermined grinding feed. The grinding feed continues until the positive stop collar IIII engages the stop surface formed on the rear face of the dash pot unit 90. At this time the micrometer adjusting screw IIB engages and actuates the normally closed limit switch II to set the electric time delay relay H9 in motion, The time relay allows the grinding wheel to remain in grinding contact with the work piece for a predetermined time interval to allow the wheel to spark-out orfinish-grind the work piece. After the predetermined time interval has elapsed, the relay II9 energizes the solenoid I! to shift the valve stem II into the posi ticn illustrated in Fig. 6 so as to cause a rearward movement of the wheel slide II and grinding wheel I2,

When the grinding wheel slide reaches its rearrnost position, the abutment I I8 on the rear of the wheel slide II engages and actuates the normally open limit switch III to close the same, thereby closing a circuit again to energize the solenoid IE to shift the valve stem II so as to start a forward feeding movement of the wheel slide II and grinding wheel I2 for the next grinding cycle. The above described grinding cycle operates continuously unless stopped by the operator. Incase it is desired to interrupt the grinding cycle, the manually operable lever I23 may be rocked in a clockwise direction to actuate the stop switch I2I' which breaks the circuit, thus deenergizing the relay I24 which immediately causes the wheel slide to move rearward'y to an inoperative position.

The automatically operated work loading mechanism is actuated by the rearward movement of the wheel slide II, The adiustably positioned cam I54 engages and actuates the normally open limit switch I53 during the rearward movement of the wheel slide II to close a circuit and thereby energize the solenoid I32 which opens the three-way valve I3l so as to allow fluid under pressure from the pump 82 passing through the pipe 83 to pass through the pipe I30 and through the pipe I 3| into the chamber I34 to release the collet 22. After the collet has been released, fluid under pressure in the cylinder chamber I34 passes through the pipe I35, the valve I36, the pipe I38, the pipe I39, into the cylinder chamber I40 to move the piston 32 toward the right (Fig. 7) to shift the ejector 20 also toward the right to eject the work piece 21 from engagement with the collet 22, After the work has been ejected, fluid under pressure in the cylinder chamber I40 may pass through the pipe I 4| and the pipe I49 into the cylinder chamber 50 to actuate the pawl M and thereby index the turret wheel 35-36 to move the finish ground work piece out of axial alignment with the collet and to present the next work piece in alignment therewith.

During the actuating movement of the pawl M, the cam I43 engages and actuates the normally open limit switch I44 which serves to energize the solenoid I31 to shift the three-way valve 12 I36 so as to allow fluid to exhaust from the chamber I40 and at the same time shifts the threeway valve I42 to allow fluid under pressure in the pipe 83 to pass through the pipe I45 into, the cylinder chamber I46 to move the piston 32 and pusher arm 28 toward the left (Fig. 1) to push the next work piece 21 into operative engagement with the collet 22. When the wheel slide moves forward and the cam rides out of contact with the limit switch I53, the switch I53 opens, thus deenergizing the solenoid I32 which allows the valve I 3I to shift so that fluid in the cylinder chamber I34 may exhaust therefrom. thus releasing the compression of the spring 23 which serves toclose the collet 22 so as to grip and rotate the work piece for the next grinding operation. The above cycle of operation of the "work loading. electing, pushing and indexing mechanism operates during each rearward movement of the wheel slide so as automatically to remove a. ground work piece from the collet and present a new work piece to be ground.

It will thus be seen that there has been provided by this invention apparatus in which the various objects hereinabove set forth together with many thoroughly practical advantages are successfully achieved. As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention and as many changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

We claim:

1. In a grinding machine having means including a rotatable chuck to support and rotate a work piece, a rotatable grinding wheel, a transversely movable slide therefor, a wheel feeding mechanism automatically to feed said slide toward and from the work piece to grind the same to a predetermined size. and a work loading mechanism including a, rotatable turret to convey successive work pieces into axial alignment with said chuck, a hydraulically operated pusher to move a work piece supported by said turret into operative relation with said chuck before a grinding operation, and means including an automatically actuated ejector to eject finish ground work pieces from said chuck after a grinding operation has been completed.

2. In a grinding machine having a rotatable work supporting chuck, a rotatable grinding wheel, a transversely movable slide therefor, an automatic continuously operated feeding mechanism including a hydraulic piston and cylinder to feed said wheel slide transversely toward and from the axis of the work chuck successively to grind a plurality of work pieces to a predetermined size, a control valve for said cylinder, means to shift said valve to cause an infeed of said grinding wheel, an electric time delay relay to control the duration of the finish grinding, said time relay serving after a predetermined time interval to shift the control valve 50 as to cause a rearward movement of the slide, and means including a limit switch which is actuated by said wheel slide each time it reaches a rearward position automatically to initiate another grinding cycle.

3. In a grinding machine having a rotatable work support including a work chuck, a rotatable grinding wheel, a transversely movable slide therefor, an automatic continuously operated feeding mechanism including a hydraulic piston and cylinder to feed said wheel slide transversely toward and from the axis of the work chuck successively to grind a plurality of work pieces to a predetermined size, a control valve for said cylinder, a solenoid to shiftsaicl valve in either direction, means to energize one of said cylinders to initiate a forward feeding movement; of the grinding wheel, an electric time delay relay set in motion by said forward movement to control the duration of the finish grinding, said relay serving after a predetermined time interval'to shift said control valve to cause a rearward movement of the grinding wheel, and means including a limit switch which is actuated by said wheel slide each time it reaches a rearward position automatically to initiate another grinding cycle. 4. In a grinding machine having a rotatable work support including a work chuck, a rotatable grinding wheel, a transversely movable wheel slide therefor, an automatically actuated continuously operated feeding mechanism to feed said slide transversely toward and from the. axis of said work chuck successively to grind a plurality of work pieces to a predetermined size, means including a limit switch which is actuated by said wheel slide each time it reaches a rearward position automatically to initiate another grinding cycle, a work loading mechanism including a rotatable work turret to convey successive work pieces to and from said chuck, and means including a limit switch which is actuated during each rearward movement of said wheel slide to initiate a loading cycle.

5. In a, grinding machine having a rotatable transversely movable grinding wheel, a rotatable work chuck, a compression spring to close said chuck, a hydraulic piston and cylinder to release said chuck, a work ejector to eject a ground work piece from said chuck, a piston and cylinder to actuate said ejector, said ejector cylinder being connected in series with the chuck releasing cylinder so that after the chuck has been released, fluid may by-pass from the chuck cylinder into the ejector cylinder so as to eject a ground work piece from said chuck, a rotatable work loading turret successively to convey workpieces to and from an operative position relative to said chuck, and means including a piston and cylinder to index said turret, said turret actuating cylinder being connected in series with said ejector cylinder so that after the ejector has moved to elect a work piece from said chuck, fluid under pressure from the ejector cylinder may by-pass into said turret cylinder to index the work turret.

6. In a grinding machine having a rotatable grinding wheel, a transversely movable slide therefor, a wheel feeding mechanism automatically to feed said slide first at a rapid positioning rate, then at a predetermined feeding rate, and a positive stop for limiting the forward movement of said slide, an electric time delay relay to allow the grinding wheel to spark-out for a predetermined time interval, a rotatable work supporting and rotating collet, a rotatable work loading turret automatically to convey successive work pieces to and from an operative position relative to said collet, a work pusher and ejector automatically to push a work piece into said collet before a grinding operation and ative position relative to said collet and to push said work piece axially into said collet ready for the next grinding cycle before the grinding wheel slide starts its next forward movement.

7. In a grinding machine having a rotatable grinding wheel, a transversely movable wheel slide therefor, a wheel feeding mechanism for said slide comprising a hydraulic piston and cylinder to move said slide, a dash pot feed regulator, a control valve for said cylinder, a solenoid to shift said valve in either direction, a start and stop switch, an electric relay actuated thereby, said relay serving toenergize said solenoid'to shift the control valve so as to initiate an infeeding movement of the grinding wheel, an electric time delay relay to control the spark-out period, a limit switch actuated by and in timed relation with the forward feeding movement of said slide to set said timer in motion, said timer serving after a predetermined time interval to energize a second solenoid to shift the control valve so as to cause a rearward movement of the slide, and a limit switch actuated by the wheel slide when it reaches its rearmostposition to energize said first solenoid to initiate the next grinding cycle.

grinding wheel, a transversely movable grinding to eject a work piece therefrom after a grinding operation, and a limit switch which is actuated by the rearward movement of the wheel slide to release said collet, to eject the ground work piece therefrom, to index said turret to convey the ground work piece to an inoperative position, and to present the next work piece in an operwheel slide therefor, means including a hydraulic piston and cylinder to feed.said slide and grinding wheel toward and from a work piece, a rotatable work support including a positively driven work chuck to support and drive one end of a work piece, a plurality of rotatable rollers to steady and support said work piece at a point spaced from said collet and adjacent to said grinding wheel, a rotatable work turret automatically to convey work pieces to and from an operative position with relation to said collet, a pawl and ratchet to actuate said turret, a hydraulic piston and cylinder to actuate said pawl, a compression spring to close said chuck, a hydraulic piston and cylinder to open said chuck, and means actuated by and in timed relation with the rearward movement of said slide-to control the cycle of operation.

9. In a valve grinding machine having a rotatable work chuck, a transversely movable rotatable grinding wheel, means to feed said wheel toward and from the axis of said chuck, a rotatable work loading turret, a plurality of work receiving pockets arranged around the periphery of said turret, a pawl and ratchet mechanism to index said turret, a hydraulic piston and cylinder to actuate said ratchet, a plurality of spaced symmetrically arranged rollers to engage the periphery of a work piece to steady and support the same when it is in an operative position, means including a pusher automatically to push said valve axially into said chuck, an ejector to move said valve axially out of said chuck, a piston and cylinder to actuate said pusher and ejector, and means including a switch actuated during the rearward movement of the grinding wheel to control the cycle of operation.

10. In a grinding machine as claimed in claim 9, the combination with the parts and features therein specified, of a piston and cylinder to actuate the work chuck, a solenoid actuated valve to control the admission of fluid under pressure to said chuck cylinder, a limit switch connected with said solenoid, a cam on said wheel slide which is arranged during the rearward movement of the wheel slide to actuate said switch and energize said solenoid and thereby automatically to initiate a work discharge and loading cycle.

11. In a grinding machine as claimed-in claim 9, the combination with the parts and features thereinspecifled, of a work chuck, a piston and cylinder to actuate said chuck, a work ejector, a piston and cylinder to actuate said ejector, a rotatable work turret, and means including a piston'and cylinder to index said turret. said cylinders being connected in series so that said chuck piston first releases said chuck, then said ejector piston ejects a work piece from said chuck, after which said index piston indexes the turret to operative relation with said chuck, and a limit switch actuated by said turr'et index mechanism to energize said solenoid.

13. ha grinding machine having a rotatable work support including a rotatable spindle and a work chuck supported thereon, means to rotate said spindle and chuck, yieldable means in cluding a compression spring to close said chuck, means including a hydraulic piston and cylinder pockets arranged around its periphery, a pawl andratchet to index said turret, a hydraulic piston and cylinder to actuate said ratchet, a plurality of symmetrically-arranged spaced rollers to steady and support the valve stem at a position spaced from said chuck and adjacent to said grinding wheel, means including a pusher to push said valve axially into said chuck before a grind- I ing operation, and an ejector automatically to move said valve stem axially out of said chuck after a grinding operation has been completed.

, CARL, G. FLYGARE.

ELPHEGE D. LA FLEUR.

HERBERT A. SILVEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the fileof this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,017,881 Landis Feb. 20, 1912 1,779,823 Norton Oct. 28, 1930 1,997,551 Romaine Apr. 9, 1935 2,003,269 Arter et a1 May 28, 1935 2,109,600 Vonderbeek Mar. 1, 1938 2,110,931 Dyer et a1. Mar. 15, 1938 2,113,387 Silven .4 Apr. 5, 1938 2,117,917 silven May 17, 1938 2,229,312 Silven et a1. Jan. 21, 1941 2.260343 Strong Oct. 28, 1941 2,326,034

Jackson Aug. 3, 1943 

